He stepped yet closer, still holding her wrist, using his strength to dominate her. “Whatever it is, it is over. You will do no more damage. If you can stop it, you will do so.”

“You are a fool if you think it was ever in my power to stop it. You are doubly a fool if you believe it is in your power.”

“It will be stopped, Nesta. If not by me now, by Edward later.” His other hand took her face in a controlling hold. “In either case, you are out of it. Do you understand that?”

She narrowed her eyes on him. “I am the daughter of Llygad ap Madoc, and my nobility was already ancient when yours was first created. There are still some of us who do not cower in front of English power. Who do not submit to commands from such as you.”

“I have been too indulgent with you. Too careful with your pride, because of what has passed between us. That was a mistake.” His hand dropped from her face, but he did not move away. Nor did his anger retreat. “When I found you in the snow, you offered to kneel later at my pleasure. Now would be a very good time, lady.”

“I’ll be damned first.”

“You will do it, because of your promise, and because you are my bride—”

“I am not your bride.”

“—and because I command it. You will also do it because I will make you if I have to.”

He meant it. She did not doubt that he was angry enough to force her body to assume a position of submission, even if he could not bend her will.

She looked into the eyes watching her. Looked deeply enough to see not just the lord but also the man. There was more to this battle they fought than England and Wales. There always had been.

Because of that, she was not without weapons to match his.

She just gazed up at him, not at all cowed. The challenge in her expression only goaded his determination. This would end here, now. He would not live with this particular viper in his camp any longer.

The glint in her eyes turned knowing. She stepped back, but not in fear. “You are right, Mark. I did promise to kneel. I will do so now, to make good my word.”

As she strolled away, her hands went to her head, and she began releasing her hair from its knotted style. “But you do not only seek the fulfillment of a promise, do you? You want me humbled, and at your feet like a petitioner. When a woman submits like that to a man, she normally does so without jewels or other vanities. That way she appears much more a beggar.”